The most powerful photos from the historic anti-Mugabe marches in Zimbabwe

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November 18, 2017 4:49 PM

Tens of thousands of people have taken to the streets of Harare in Zimbabwe to call for the resignation of president Robert Mugabe.

Tens of thousands of protesters have reportedly taken to the streets of Harare in Zimbabwe to call for the resignation of president Robert Mugabe.

Protesters sang songs, hugged soldiers, and waved banners and the national flag as Zimbabweans added their voices to the political changes this week.

On Wednesday, the military took over the country's state broadcaster and blocked access to the country's parliament and courts.

The military said it was determined to weed out "criminals" and wanted to "pacify a degenerating political, social, and economic situation."

The military added that it would only return power once it had achieved it's goal.

On Saturday, the military sanctioned a march in Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe. Here are some of the best photographs.

Tens of thousands of protestors took to the streets of Harare, according to The Guardian, as people began to march toward the home of president Robert Mugabe.

Demonstrators carried signs that said "Mugabe must go," waved the Zimbabwe flag, and stopped occasionally to embrace with soldiers.

Earlier this week it was reported in South Africa that Mugabe had been placed under house arrest. He made a public appearance at a graduation ceremony on Friday, but appeared to fall asleep in a chair.

The military took over the state broadcaster on Wednesday and sanctioned the march in Harare on Saturday.

Soldiers could be seen shaking the hands of protestors, some of whom were crying "tears of joy" as they felt "free at last," according to The Guardian.

The Washington Post called the march "the first public outpouring since the military put Mugabe under house arrest." One marcher said it felt "like Christmas."

One political analyst on state-run television said: "It’s like independence day, multiple," according to The Washington Post.

Despite the protests, CNN says 93-year-old Robert Mugabe refuses to quit. Relatives said Mugabe and his wife Grace are "ready to die for what is correct."

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